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09 June 2007

Spectrum media presents. . .David Larson on marriage, sex and sin

By Alexander Carpenter with special thanks to Gordon Short

A graduate of both Claremont School of Theology (1973) and Claremont Graduate University (1982) David Larson D. Min. and Ph.D., is professor of Christian Ethics, Theological and Philosophical Ethics, Biomedical Ethics at Loma Linda University. A board member of Adventist Forum and frequent contributer to Spectrum, he teaches religion courses for health professions students and for graduate students in Christian ethics. Dr. Larson is also a board member of Progressive Christians Uniting. A pioneer on the Adventist web, visit his web site, Ponder Anew. Discussing St. Augustine's imprint on Christian theology of sex and marriage, Dr. Larson rethinks human intimacy and sin.

07 June 2007

Spectrum media presents. . .Alden Thompson on Ellen White and inspiration

By Alexander Carpenter with special thanks to Gordon Short.

Continuing our series of Spectrum Media lectures: Alden Thompson discusses Ellen White and the nature of inspiration and revelation. On Sabbath I'll post David Larson on Christian sexual morality. Feel free to use these to provoke some discussion in your Sabbath School class. If you'd like to order a DVD ($33) of these paragons of Adventist thinking (includes Rick Rice), email: subscriptions@spectrummagazine.org

Recently some Spectrum Blog commenters have been edging around the topic of inspiration. Here's one of Adventism's experts on the subject.

Alden Thompson is currently professor of biblical studies at Walla Walla College. An ordained minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Thompson is a graduate of Walla Walla College (BA 1965) and Andrews University (MA 1966; BD 1967). Before joining the faculty at WWC, he pastored in Southeastern California (1967-1970). In 1974 he received his PhD in Old Testament and Judaic Studies from the University of Edinburgh. His dissertation was published by Scholars Press in 1977.

His primary interests are the Bible, especially the Old Testament, Ellen White studies, "Inspiration," and Adventist History. He writes frequently for Adventist publications. His "Sinai to Golgotha" series on the growth and development of Ellen White’s experience was published in the Adventist Review (December 1981). Published books include Who's Afraid of the Old Testament God? (Paternoster, 1988; Zondervan, 1989; Pacesetters, 2000, 2003); Inspiration: Hard Questions, Honest Answers (Review and Herald, 1991; also translated into German [1998] and Dutch [2002]); and Escape from the Flames: How Ellen White grew from fear to joy and helped me do it too (Pacific Press, 2005).

03 June 2007

Spectrum media presents. . .Ivan Blazan: Who was Paul?

By Alexander Carpenter with special thanks to Gordon Short.

Introducing a series of three Spectrum Media lectures: On Thursday I'll post Alden Thompson on Revelation, Inspiration, and Ellen G. White and then on Sabbath I'll post David Larson on Christian sexual morality. Feel free to use these to provoke some discussion in your Sabbath School class. If you'd like to order a DVD ($33) of these paragons of Adventist thinking (includes Rick Rice), email: subscriptions@spectrummagazine.org

But now here's: Ivan Blazen, PhD, Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Theology at Loma Linda University.

He asks: Will the real Paul please stand up?

He also taught at Pacific Union College and for many years at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary as Professor and Chair of the New Testament Department. Dr. Blazen did extensive graduate work at Andrews University and the SDA Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary in New York City, the University of Heidelberg in Germany, Drew University in New Jersey, and Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, where he received his PhD degree. In addition to his teaching, writing, and other scholarly interests, Dr. Blazen is a frequent speaker at church services, campmeetings, worker’s meetings and other church functions. Two of his major concerns are to give the Bible a fair hearing in its own time and place, and then to apply biblical teaching to the practical concerns of everyday life.

As Pastor Don Gettys mentions in his April 21, 2007 sermon:

When I went to college at Andrews University, my Greek teacher was a fellow by the name of Ivan Blazen. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of such a name. And he was a great Greek teacher. And Ivan Blazen defined grace as God’s unmerited favor given to us. That’s pretty good. And he went on. In other words, grace is the rich flow of God's wealth and covenant blessing to all who accept by faith the merits of Jesus Christ. You’ve got to accept it.

Here are a couple of his books: A Call to Ministry, Gospel on the Street, The Essential Jesus, Understanding Genesis.
 

22 May 2007

Justice: A Journey in Moral Reasoning

by Johnny A. Ramirez

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Moral Reasoning 22: Justice

A critical analysis of selected classical and contemporary theories of justice, including discussion of present-day applications. The course examines debates about justice prominent in moral and political philosophy, and invites students to subject their own views on these controversies to critical examination. Principal readings are drawn from the following books-

  • Aristotle, Politics
  • Locke, Second Treatise of Government
  • Kant, Grounding of the Metaphysics of Morals
  • Mill, Utilitarianism
  • Rawls, A Theory of Justice

Other assigned readings include excerpts from Jeremy Bentham and contemporary writers such as Nozick, Dworkin, MacIntyre, Sandel, and Walzer. 

Hundreds of students pack Harvard's Sanders Theater for Michael Sandel's "Justice" course—an introduction to moral and political philosophy. In a project to extend the reach of this legendary course, Harvard has created a film that takes you inside the classroom. Come join the lively exchange of ideas as Sandel and his students grapple with hard questions of ethics and civic life.

Take advantage of this great lecture on moral philosophy from Harvard College here.

UPDATE: Now with Podcast.

13 January 2007

Spectrum presents a VCast lecture by Richard Rice on faith and reason

04rice By Alexander Carpenter

Announcing a new feature from Spectrum. Thanks to vision and support from some friends of Spectrum who really care about the free exchange of ideas within Adventism, this year the Spectrum Blog is experimenting with more communication tools.

This January we offer an excellent lecture from Loma Linda University Professor of Theology, Philosophy, and Religion, Richard Rice.  He discusses science and faith and the nature of knowledge.

It is divided into four 8-10 minute videos. All four parts are ready.  At the end of each lecture, click on the "Next" button on the bottom right to continue listening to the whole lecture.

On Faith and Reason.

As always feel free talk back in the comment section below. Let us know a point about epistemology (or something else) that you hadn't realized before.